Friday, March 16, 2007 The INdependent Reformer Page 1

The dependent IN Reformer for the People Vol. 2 No. 11 Friday, March 16, 2007 $1.00 SlickSlickSlick OilOilOil DealsDealsDeals GOBGOB HoHogg UpUp RoRoyyaltiesalties By: Des Parrette ant, charging that the GOB was abso- The dispute deepened when Cho GOB had determined that the reservoir Andrew Cho of the Department of lutely wrong in their interpretation of stated that the already pitifully small roy- may extend farther north beyond the Geology of the Ministry of Natural Re- royalty distribution and that GOB was alty that landowners were to receive Mennonite property, then those land- sources called a special meeting at cheating all landowners whose proper- would be reduced by a further 29% for owners should receive a proportionate Spanish Lookout to inform the Men- ties would be involved in oil produc- the Mennonites because “currently share. Cavanaugh argued that unitiza- nonites about the oil royalties they have tion. Landowner royalties are paid to available technology” suggested that tion was never done when all of the pro- never received. In addition to Andrew the owner of the land upon which a well maybe the reservoir extended further to duction involved only one property Cho, GOB was represented by Pedro is drilled to compensate him for the dam- the north from the established Spanish owner, and it was ridiculous and unrea- Cho, Trinidad Petroleum Engineer age and disruption. Cavanaugh stated Lookout production area, along a nar- sonable to pay royalties to landowners Gardiner, and two other members. Gil- that this standard international practice row structure about 300 yards wide, who had no producing wells on their bert Canton represented Belize Natu- should be followed, but Cho claimed which they called the San Marcos ex- property or where no proven oil pro- ral Energy (BNE), and Spanish Look- that individual royalty rights only existed tension. According to Cho all of the duction occurred, simply on the suspi- out was represented by Community in the USA and Canada, thus Belize land over the total suspected reservoir cion that oil may occur in the future. leaders Henry Dueck, Abe Thiessen, could do what they wanted to and did should therefore be unitized; that is all Cavanaugh pointed out that “currently Allan Reimer, Issac Dueck and Jim not have to follow their example. the lands should be added together and available technology” simply identifies Cavanaugh. Cavanaugh countered that Trinidad also considered as one parcel with each in- where a subsurface structure could ex- According to accounts the presenta- had individual mineral ownership, which dividual owner receiving a share of the tend which may possibly have oil. The tion turned into a brawl with Jim set a CARICOM standard that Belize royalty revenues depending on their only way to determine if oil is present is Cavanaugh, the Mennonite Oil Consult- was supposed to follow. proportionate share of the unit. Because (Please Turn To Page 3) IndependentsIndependents contestcontest LadyLadyvilleville CouncilCouncil know it. I see people every day, talk to Her son, Hosni, is also a part of the Martin Jimenez of Delmart Hardware, everyone. I can be more vigilant about independent team. The two Turtons are Odessa Gibson, Carolee Hecker and what’s happening.” joined by taxi driver Fernando Leal, (Please Turn To Page 15) SailsSails ahoyahoy atat BaronBaron BlissBliss RegattaRegatta

Chairlady candidate Sharon Turton

Saying they are neither UDP, nor PUP, a full slate of independent candi- dates is once more challenging the Ladyville village council elections. The team is lead by the candidate for Chairlady, Sharon Turton, who has lived in Ladyville for 32 years. She owns her own catering business and is well known in the village. She told Independent Weekly she was initially approached by the UDP who wanted her to run as a member of their slate, but she declined, telling them, “I will not run under any umbrella. Un- der any color.” In her view “The village should be run by residents not political Sea Scouts’ dinghies ‘Sea Gull’ & ‘Gannet’ tack into the wind in the race for 14’ sailing dinghies at 80th Annual Baron Bliss parties. By people who live here and Harbour Regatta, honouring Belize’s greatest benefactor. Friday, March 16, 2007 The INdependent Reformer Page 2

Editorial Director LettersLetters toto thethe EditorEditor biggest impetus for the increase in debt. bothered me, is this incessant attack on Meb Cutlack PUP vs UDP The UDP offered realistic budgets that the USA, especially white America. Dear Editor: all the numbers were verifiable and cor- Before I continue, I must say I am a The PUP leadership is trying to use rect and maintained government spend- dual citizen who loves Belize dearly, but numerous tricks to suggest that the lead- ing primarily by getting value for money. have also come to love my adopted ership of both [mass] parties is the The PUP used government spending country in spite of its many flaws be- Editor same... the inference being that they are primarily to quench the insatiable thirst cause I have also seen what is good both evil and detrimental to the interest for money of their persons, friends and about America. And believe me, there Karla Heusner Vernon of Belize and Belizeans. I have heard cronies. Government spending then fu- is much that is good about America. I their minions repeat this nonsense but I eled the now intransigent and deep may be accused of complicity here since am surprised when other seeming right- rooted corruption within the PUP and I married one of those white Americans, thinking Belizeans take the bait hook, has been the hallmark of the Musa ad- and became father to four wonderful line and sinker. ministration. caring citizens not only of the USA (and General Manager The leadership of the UDP is diametri- DFC under the UDP was a vehicle one of them of Belize), but of the world. cally different in my view and if I can for soft loans to private sector business, Much may be wrong with white walk through just a few examples to students, and housing and agriculture America (as I suppose with many other Trevor Vernon expound my point, please permit me. activities. DFC under the PUP hemor- countries be they white or non-white), I won’t have time to address every rhages under the corruption, nepotism, but there are many within that group that “nitti-gritty” but maybe I can discuss the insider trading and wastage that we all constantly fight and struggle, and yes, larger ones in my view. knew and that the present commission are even killed, to bring about equitable The national debt was managed by of inquiry is confirming. change. No other country in the world Design/Layout both the UDP and the PUP, during their Secondly, BTL under the UDP was with this type of vast diversity has respective terms in office. Today the designed and strictly managed with handled its diversity as well as America William G . Ysaguirrre single largest negative influence for Belizean ownership and control. Under because of its strong laws and its strong growth and development in Belize is the the PUP it has literally gone to the dogs press and media. America still remains 3 billion dollar debt, recently refi- with admitted “parallel market” foreign a country of first choice for the majority Published by: nanced at tremendous new costs. On currency activities. of the world’s citizens who wish to emi- page 3 of the 1998 PUP “Set Belize There is a chasm of difference be- grate, or even just those who wish to Independent Publishing Free Manifesto” the present prime min- tween the UDP and PUP leadership. be educated. Without its dynamic ister of Belize argued that Belize needed The UDP has demonstrated sober economy (not always equitable) its to be set free from “ a staggering” $385 stewardship of our finances and, by Latin American contingency (Belize in- P.O. Box 2666 million debt. The inference here is comparison, is infinitely more qualified cluded) would not be able to send over someone carry a load they can barely to run this country than the PUP. $30 billion to its families in their home- ○○○○○○○○○○○Telephones: handle and there struggling and stagger- lands. ing with it. That was $385 million. The signed, Robert Tillett Please do not misunderstand me. I only thing the PUP government grew am not advocating that we excuse what (501) 225-3520 was the debt… by $2.5 BILLION. God Bless the USA is wrong with America in general— and Company Ltd. Given the opportunity he, Said Musa, & Belize white America in particular. God knows Email: unconscientiously in 8 short years drove racism is hard to eradicate, and is not Dear Editor: Belize C.A. the debt to now close to $3,000 million the exclusive domain of white Ameri- and lies repeatedly about it. The differ- As a constant reader of the Belize cans. Progress in this area may never [email protected] ence is that the UDP never lied about news online, I am able to keep abreast be complete, but hopefully, we are go- the figures; and secondly, restricted of the news and activities within this new ing in the right direction. Those white Printed by: Belize’s debt burden even if it meant dynamic emerging nation where I was Americans that travel in that direction modest 5% growth in GDP and re- born many decades ago (precise num- (and there are many) deserve better than National Printers stricted government spending. ber is not relevant). One of the issues that have always (Please Turn To Page 15) New Road Government Spending has been the Belize City, Belize

INdependentThe Reformer [email protected] P.O. Box 2666 Belize City, Belize YES! Send me 6 months of the INdependent Reformer for as little as For an online version of the “QuoteBZ$30.00 (US$30.00 of theinternational) Week” INdependent Reformer Name (please print) visit us at Address Apt. http://www.belizenorth.com/ independentreformer.htm OR City State Zip http://belizenews.com/ independentonline.pdf Email Address

Payment Included Bill me later Prices for subscription and postage may vary for subscription outside Belize. Friday, March 16, 2007 The INdependent Reformer Page 3 ByBy AnyAny MeansMeans NecessaryNecessary and outmaneuver them with his “measured don’t need a receipt but he insisted. Why means necessary. People are afraid to speak deviations from orthodoxy” …to protect do I need more paper? out against this man when he admittedly the people, he says. Brilliant concept: out- The “Save Belize (from the IMF)” tax screwed up and did so royally. Why? Is it smarting the draconian “cookie cutter” regime that has been unleashed on because he controls the security forces with solutions the IMF dictates. Its not that the Belizeans is the coldest homegrown policy an iron fist or because he has a perverse Minister and his people set out to do any- of them all. It’s worse than the generally sense of power, or both? thing underhanded; in their minds they had accepted rampant official corruption. It’s Whatever his mindset, he is certainly a to save the people of Belize from the pain- now wholly acceptable to disabuse this coun- master predator who instills the fear of God ful standardized remedies of this Bretton- try of its finances, but it sure as hell ain’t ac- into the hearts of many. Is that what we By: Trevor Vernon Woods organization. ceptable to do so at the expense of the people elected him and his party to do to us? While The nation was treated last Friday to What can be nobler? The only prob- who elected you… with massive, massive hiding behind his “sworn to secrecy” cabi- insights into the mind of the Right Honor- lem is, in “rescuing” us, is he subjecting us consumption taxes. You can get rich quick net oath of Said? (Notice he doesn’t have able Ralph Fonseca. The man is a master to explosive consumption taxes that and load up those offshore accounts (by amnesia.) at redefining standard concepts, especially cripple the ordinary people of this coun- whatever means necessary); but, you had We can no longer afford to keep these generally accepted accounting principles. try who do not qualify for GST exemp- better cut the people some slack and fast. people in office. They are ruining this won- The Inter-American Democratic Charter tions, GST refunds, duty free fuels and The natives are beyond restless. derful country they had nothing to do with never figured they’d have to deal with this tax-free containers from Panama. The Minister says he has an electoral man- building. His testimony at the DFC inquiry super minister’s mindset. Did they? What could be worse than 10% GST? date from the people. Yes, but he has twisted was revealing. Not necessarily in what he In this man’s world, the IMF is the en- Perhaps only the 100% RRD on gaso- it to become some supreme power, a divine told the commission, but what he showed of emy, not the greedy usurping government line. I mean really, last week I had to pay right (handed down by Price) to accomplish himself to the rest of us…and I am sure he structures he created. He has to outsmart 10% GST on a doctor visit. I told him I everything his party promised, by whatever knows other people were listening keenly. SlickSlick OilOil Deals:Deals: GOBGOB hoghog upup royaltiesroyalties (Continued From Page 1) brought up another troubling question mile away from the field where you know cians gobbled up the San Marcos land; to drill and establish commercial produc- though. Cho reported that the govern- you are going to get another good well, because even if it doesn’t have oil, some- tion. He reminded the GOB representa- ment had received $BZ 2.6 million in roy- and drill a high risk wildcat? The specu- one is now going to get a big cut of the tives present that royalties are paid only alty payments, the landowner gets only 5% lation is it had to be a political well be- royalties that should go to the Menno- on the oil that is produced, not on oil that of the GOB 7.5% share. Of course now cause it just didn’t make good economic nites. That’s why I think this horrendous is “suspected”, and until such time as it it is only 71% of the 5% of the 7.5%. But sense. I guess it makes sense if the politi- greed is so outrageous.” was proven that a suspected area con- BNE had earlier reported selling 811,000 tained commercial oil, there was abso- barrels for 2006. Considering the aver- lutely no basis for unitizing. Allan Reimer age price of crude oil was around $BZ demonstrated with diagrams that 98% of 120, and the total oil income reported in the total production from the suspected the media was some $BZ 97 million, the field would still be produced from the GOB royalty of 7.5% should total some Mennonite lands, even if the suspected $BZ 8.7 million. What happened to the area is found to have oil sometime in the other 5.9 millions dollars and the landown- future. ers share of it? That means 70% of what Cavanaugh further argued that a well, is due the landowner is missing! referred to locally as the “Musa Well,” had To put this into perspective, suppose a already been drilled in the suspected ex- well is drilled on your farm and it pro- tension of the field, and it had been a dry duces 100 barrels of oil a day. The total hole. Trinidad Engineer Gardner said that revenues will be $BZ 12,000 a day. Here he believed there was a fault that sepa- is how the money is distributed: rated the dry well from the suspected field GOB 7.5% Royalty $ 900.00 extension, and that the Musa Well was GOB 1.5% Production Sharing drilled on the wrong side of the fault. $ 180.00 Cavanaugh charged that it was obvious GOB 40% tax $4800.00· GOB had already made the decision to GOB 10% ownership in BNE screw the landowners and the Menno- $1200.00 nites were dealing with a closed mind. GOB TOTAL $7080.00 The “Musa Well” is troublesome. Was BNE $4920.00 a Musa or The Musa involved here? A Landowner: 5% due $45.00 VISTA DANCE STUDIO BNE worker was asked, “Was there any 70% disappearance - $31.50 oil in the Musa Well?” Balance $13.50 Director: SISTIE FAIRWEATHER -HARMES “Some, I guess, but not enough to make ield expansion 29% $ 3.92 a well so they shut it in.” Total left for landownern $ 9.58 10th annual “Why do they call it the Musa Well?” This means that GOB would be raking The worker hesitated a minute. “Ahhh, in over BZ$ 2.5 million a year and the DANCE RECITAL I dunno nothing about nothing, Mon. For- landowner won’t get enough to buy din- get we talked. All I know is a cousin in ner each day! to be held at the the Lands Department said that as soon And the Musa Well? Cavanaugh said as BNE found oil, all the politico big shots he didn’t know anything about the land BLISS Performing Arts were in the land office grabbing up any deals, and all he knows is that well made government land around Spanish Look- no sense at all. 6;00 p.m. on Sunday April 1, 2007 out they could get.” “Consider that you have five good wells Couldn’t get any more information, so in the Spanish Lookout field capable of TICKETS; Adults $20 Child $15 contacted Jim Cavanaugh, who said the producing a thousand barrels a day each. whole deal was so outrageous he didn’t It costs about a million Belize dollars to Phone: 225-3064 or available at door even want to discuss it. Cavanaugh drill a well, so why would you step out a Friday, March 16, 2007 The INdependent Reformer Page 4 TTTopopop ofofof thethethe classclassclass It is a dismal performance. No doubt replace an equally poor BNSE, is still tion? Some five thousand are even now about it. It is cause for serious review being given. And why were these re- preparing to sit the PSE at the end of of both the teacher’s skills and knowl- sults released now, when they have been this month. They have spent months in edge levels, the examination, and con- available since December? Just what evening classes, Saturday classes and ditions under which it was given. was the Ministry trying to accomplish many schools will pull them in from Eas- But I would hazard a guess that after in the middle of union unrest over BTL ter vacation early to get ready for Part similarly pathetic results from Belizean firings, and calls for strike action by all II. children several years running, that if our the trade unions, including the most ac- Does the Ministry care about their teachers had their way, they would re- tive arm at all, the Belize National sacrifice or the fact that now many Stan- teach the material or revise the test, or Teacher’s Union? dard VI-ers, are wondering if it matters By: Karla Heusner Vernon both. All seasoned teachers know the Angry, hurt, betrayed and insulted how they do on the PSE since the normal examination curve puts the ma- teachers are the last thing the govern- grownups they know can’t pass it any- Like all parents of children in Stan- way? May have lost their motivation? dard 6, my life has been consumed by Angry, hurt, betrayed and insulted What was the ministry thinking? Or preparations for the Primary School teachers are the last thing the government were they not thinking at all? Surely they Examination. Now, just days away could have waited a few more weeks from the first portion, it might not hap- needs right now… until the exam was over... pen. At least, the teachers may boycott My own daughter has been told by the sitting and the grading. jority of the students in the middle range, ment needs right now…So who every adult she knows that her perfor- But I am not upset, or disappointed. not the bottom. dropped the ball? Was it a mistake to mance on the PSE is critical, not only Not in the teachers. Only hard headed people keep giv- go public? Or, a calculated move to to her admission to the high school of The educators of this country were ing a test the majority of otherwise in- deflect blame for what may yet another her choice, but possibly her future per- humiliated by their own Ministry of Edu- telligent people fail. Or people who expected poor performance on the PSE formance in high school and beyond. cation a couple of weeks ago. The Min- have something to gain from its admin- by yet another crop of Belizean chil- Her entire family— and a lot of con- istry went public with dismal results for istration, printing and distribution. dren? cerned, loving friends— are urging her teachers who sat the exam themselves. One cannot help but wonder why this Speaking of the children, did anyone to study hard, learn her formulas, prac- Some 70% did not pass. test, which was devised supposedly to in the Ministry consider THEIR reac- (Please Turn To Page 14) Friday, March 16, 2007 The INdependent Reformer Page 5 AnAn EvilEvil EyEyee OpensOpens UpUp AgainAgain By Mirien Gutierrez ment executive and Oranges ‘ associ- of fact we asked the judge for a war- victed but vanished, says Luca Armeni, Operation Malocchio (‘evil eye’) as ate, was also treasurer in another cor- rant, and it was granted by the investi- deputy chief of the DIA. “When you it was called, was “one of the biggest” poration France Mistral, S.A., where gative judge (Lupacchini). But the have a trial as difficult as this money laun- anti-money laundering operations ever Lillo Rosario Lauricella — kingpin Tribunale del Riesame (court of re-ex- dering case, you need two things: good launched in Italy , says former prosecu- Pellegrinetti’s right hand in Latin amination) decided differently.” That documents and good cooperating wit- tor Giovanni Salvi who was in charge America — was vice-president, the was due to what court officials called a nesses,” says Salvi. Lauricella, he said, of the investigation together with his UAF noted. “Vast amounts of money “technicality”. “revealed himself not to be a good wit- colleague Pietro Saviotti and investigat- from outside were deposited through Marco Lillo, a journalist from ness when he disappeared.” ing judge Otello Lupacchini. Investiga- Panamanian corporations in local bank Espresso who has written about the Lauricella went into hiding under a tion began in 1996 into hundreds of accounts, where they would stay for a case says the Italian authorities were only false identity, and in 2002 was shot millions of dollars in proceeds from the couple of days and later were trans- interested in the Italian suspects. “And dead outside a casino in Caracas . It smuggling of 900kg cocaine out of Latin ferred to a bank in another country,” as you can imagine, the reactions (from was difficult to identify his body because America . By 1997 the network was Jorge Mottley, former head of Interpol other countries to the requests sent by of the multiple facial surgeries he had set to ‘import’ 5,000 kg of cocaine Panama told IPS in a telephone inter- the Italian authorities) were not very undergone, according to a report in and buy a bank in Belize , accord- view. Mottley had joined investigation enthusiastic.” Espresso in November last year. The ing to a report by Espresso maga- of the Panamanian ramifications of the Before matters reached the court of local fallout of the case was not investi- zine in Italy . case. appeal in Italy, investigation progressed gated either in Panama or in Belize , but Operation Malocchio was launched The Italian investigation was revealed with the help of information provided in Brazil the case led to an investigation after Italian authorities carried out “an at a press conference in 1998 by Presi- by Lauricella, who became a “cooper- that is still continuing. information exchange with the U.S. dent Ernesto Pérez Balladares, Or- ating witness”. Operation Malocchio The Italian DIA sent the Brazilian au- FBI,” said a report issued in 2001 by anges ‘ rival in the PRD. As Oranges now revealed that the proceeds from thorities information provided by the anti-mafia investigative unit (DIA) protested in Panama, in Rome judge narco trafficking were invested in sev- Lauricella. Some of this information was of the Italian ministry of interior. The aim Lupacchini ordered the preventive ar- eral businesses, from the import of ex- made public last month by the Instituto was “dismantling a complex crime group rest of 58 people including Oranges as otic fruits from Santo Domingo (in the Brasileiro Giovanni Falcone (IBGF) set involved in the trafficking of significant alleged members of a criminal network Dominican Republic in the Caribbean) up to fight organised crime (it takes its consignments of cocaine coming from engaged in narco-trafficking and money to the installation of thousands of slot name from magistrate Giovanni Falcone South America, as well as in money laundering. Italian authorities said in the machines in Brazil. assassinated by the mafia in 1992.) “The laundering and in the re-investment of arrest warrant that the criminal network In 2000, Lauricella — the cooperat- introduction in Sao Paulo and Rio de huge capital through international finan- had deposited 250 million dollars in ing witness who had been the link be- Janeiro of slot machines served as a tool cial channels.” Panama . tween the gang and its Latin American to launder money produced by interna- The probe led to several arrests in Then Panamanian attorney-general ventures and on whose statements the tional narco-trafficking,” the IBGF said. 1998. In 2001, 15 people were con- José Antonio Sossa sent special anti- investigation was based — was con- (Please Turn To Page 7) victed for laundering money from drugs prosecutor Rosendo Miranda to narco-trafficking, including kingpin Italy in October 1998. Miranda dis- Fausto Pellegrinetti. But he escaped and patched a facsimile from Rome stating is still a fugitive. Appeals against the sen- that the Italian authorities had evidence tence were rejected. Accomplices in linking the money in transit through Panama, and also in Brazil and Panama with the narco trafficking op- Belize (a tiny Central American na- eration, says Mottley. Several docu- UNITED NATIONS tion with a population of 273,000 ments seized by the Italian authorities bordering Guatemala and Mexico ) indicated that Lauricella had contributed to Oranges ‘ presidential campaign. The operations of the United Nations agencies resident in had a prominent role in the money Belize (PAHO/WHO, UNDP, UNFPA and UNICEF, which are laundering and re-investment Oranges later admitted this. scheme, according to documents Mottley says Miranda took back a all organized in the United Nations Country Team) are guided seized by the Italian police. request from Italian authorities to freeze by the Belize United Nations Development Assistance Frame- In October 1997 Italian authorities the funds linked to Oranges and to in- work 2007 – 2011 (http://www.undg.org/content.cfm?id=331) asked Interpol in Panama for informa- terview him in the presence of a repre- and cover the following thematic areas: Human Rights and Mil- tion that could link three suspect tele- sentative of the Italian prosecutor. lennium Development Goals, Governance & Decentralization, phone numbers with well-known Pana- “Nothing of the sort happened,” he Education, Child Protection, Health Systems & Services, Sexual manian politician Alfredo Oranges. adds. Inexplicably, attorney-general & Reproductive Health, HIV and AIDS, Adolescent Mobiliza- Oranges was then a serious contender Sossa concluded there was no evidence tion and Development, Disaster Risk Reduction, Sustainable for presidential candidacy in the 1998 against Oranges . Natural Resources Management, Social Communication and In 1999 Panamanian daily La Prensa elections from the Revolutionary Demo- Results-oriented Monitoring and Evaluation. published an interview with Oranges in cratic Party (PRD). Interpol Panama The UNCT wishes to establish a joint database for a more confirmed that the numbers belonged to which he admitted that he had been meeting for years with Lauricella, who efficient and harmonized process of recruiting national con- Oranges . sultants for the agencies’ programmes and projects in the above- The Financial Analysis Unit (UAF) in he said was interested in the casino Panama then discovered that money business. Oranges said he did not know mentioned thematic areas. The UNCT therefore is now inviting from outside the country was being Lauricella’s background, and could not experienced and skilled national consultants, individuals as well transferred regularly to and from the possibly have investigated all his asso- as legally established firms, to submit the necessary informa- local bank accounts of the company ciates. According to Panamanian migra- tion to be included in this database. Consultant firms are re- Clark’s Investment Corp. Oranges tion authorities, Lauricella seems to have quested to submit the profile of each individual member of was authorised to sign documents on lived in Panama from July 1996 to Feb- staff. The provided information should contain the following behalf of Clark ‘s Investment, the UAF ruary 1998. Lauricella declared himself information fields: a) an up-to-date CV containing name, mail- said. This corporation “has served as a “gardener” living in the not exactly ing address, telephone & email, legal status, education qualifi- bridge for a series of banking transfers cheap Hotel El Panamá. cations and relevant work experience; b) thematic area(s) of Meanwhile in Rome the order to ar- that cross several countries without an expertise, and; c) a listing of consultancy services & products, rest Oranges was cancelled. “As the apparent motive or commercial activity delivered over the past 4 years. justifying them,” said the UAF. Some person who put together the case, I am sure there was enough evidence (to in- Information should be forwarded electronically to UNDP of the transfers were higher than a mil- Belize at [email protected] lion dollars. vestigate Oranges )...more than Edwin Arias Castillo, a Clark’s Invest- enough,” says Salvi now. “As a matter Friday, March 16, 2007 The INdependent Reformer Page 6 FFFamilyamilyamily VVValuesaluesalues By: Meb Cutlack why are he and his family grabbing up of Deputy Land Minister and acting speculation, while the majority of us No, this is not about caring families so much prime Government land hand Land Minister) issued conveyances cannot own even a small 50 feet by but about greedy families who snatch over fist?” (not the above mentioned) to third par- 75 feet house lot, or are charged mar- public land for themselves and for Evidently, according to documents ties for numerous tracts of land, inland ket value for such lots.” speculation in a totally illegal and often received by the Guardian members of and on the cayes, for ridiculously low Several years ago this writer gave a secret manner. Ainsley’s family acquired the following: prices. lift to a resident from one of the vil- The Guardian’s recent exposures of 16.343 acres at Rendezvous Point, These lands, once conveyed, were lages on the Western Highway. He PUP land grabs reveal only a tiny glimpse Turneffe Islands, 0.004 acres south of not registered - as required by law - had a small business in San Ignacio of how in fact these families are enrich- Little Vaqueros Creek, Mountain Pine but handed over as a means for the and rather than travel every day to and ing themselves at the expense of Ridge, 10.052 acres south of Rendez- third party to ‘sell on’ at high price. from his village he applied to Mr. Belizeans. vous Point, Turneffe Islands, 10.039 Registration would only take place Ainslie for a plot of land to build a As the Guardian recently stated: acres south of Rendezvous Point, when the so-called ‘first’ buyer found house on, in, or near, San Ignacio. “Readers may recall that it was Ainsley Turneffe Islands a second buyer. Profits must presum- Mr. Leslie denied this working Leslie and Servulo Baeza that had “sold” The Guardian also lists 10.206 acres ably have been shared by the illegal Belizean the right to even a small plot tourism developer Carlos Popper some on Turneffe which went to a friend of seller with Mr. Leslie or, in some of land. At the same time he was ‘giv- 5 acres of caye property on which Pop- Leslie’s, one Larry Goss. cases, with his family. ing’ valuable tracts of land in the dis- per invested close to $1.0 million only The above accounts are but the tip of The Guardian: “As we have seen trict to friends and family. Some of to find out later that the land was owned the iceberg and represent only a tiny before, when such lands are sold to these lots he ‘assigned’ were actu- by someone else. He had paid some proportion of land scooped up by Mr. foreigners, they attract rates of ally part of a large parcel in a housing $150,000.00 for the 5 acres he was Leslie. US$50,000.00 per acre and above. project which had been reserved by ‘sold’.” The method often employed by to “It is only right that all Belizeans government for a school. The whole The newspaper added: “Ainsley Leslie assume and then sell on cheaply ac- should be able to own a reasonable ‘school reserve’, and a nearby area (and Servulo Baeza for that matter) has quired prime land was outlined in a Re- piece of the “jewel”; we have nothing reserved for a park, were sold by Mr. therefore fully established himself as a porter article several years ago. As a against anyone owning his or her Leslie. land speculator and not a land devel- result of an investigation by this colum- piece. But it is totally unfair that PUP As The Guardian stated - this oper based on his involvement in the nist - for The Reporter - it was shown “first Belizeans” should be able to wholesale robbery of lands owned by phantom “sale” to Carlos Popper. So that Mr. Leslie (in his various capacities grab so much prime lands, mostly for all the people of Belize must stop! ForensicForensic DNADNA ExaminerExaminer getsgets U.S.U.S. InternshipInternship experience gained. The facility is an different extraction techniques em- ing on the quantification, amplifica- accredited institution with state of ployed at the DNA laboratory and tion and running of the known the art DNA equipment, all of which quantification, amplification and run- samples. I had the opportunity to use. This ning of extracted DNA as carried Funds for the training were pro- knowledge and experience gained out by analysts. vided by the Department of State, will prove vital in the development In the second phase of the pro- Bureau for International Narcotics of the serology section of the Na- gram, Mr. Sanchez had hands-on and Law Enforcement Affairs tional Forensic Science Services training and started to carry out the (INL), on behalf of the U.S. Em- and by extension the country of processes himself. He practiced bassy Belize. The project was co- Belize as it will improve level of ser- extraction techniques for different ordinated through the assistance of vice we offer.” samples, all in accordance with the Department of Justice, Interna- During the first phase of the pro- U.S. standard operating proce- tional Criminal Investigative Train- gram, Mr. Sanchez observed the dures. He also had hands-on train- ing Assistance Program.

DNA Examiner Gasper Sanchez DNA Examiner Gasper Sanchez of the Belize National Forensic Sci- ence Services returned March 4, 2007 to Belize after attending a two-month DNA Internship pro- gram at the Harris County Medical Examiner’s Laboratory in Houston, Texas. The internship program was invaluable in helping Mr. Sanchez gain insight on important duties, responsibilities, and re- quirements of his job. Mr. Sanchez was able to familiarize himself with the standard operating procedures and methods of analysis performed at the facility, all of which will help Belize to develop its own capabili- ties in the area of forensic science. According to Gaspar Sanchez: “The training was excellent, both in terms of knowledge gained and the Friday, March 16, 2007 The INdependent Reformer Page 7 MOEMOE goofedgoofed inin publishingpublishing TTeachers’eachers’ PSEPSE resultsresults

By Thomas Oliver they would be given the tests. They did sion before hand as they were markers it to be a waste of my time for most of It was reported in the news recently not arrived at that workshop in a frame of the PSE last year. However, even if that day. I decided not to attend the about the Standard Six teachers’ per- of mind to go and do any test. We were a teacher made perfect scores on the others as I have better use of my time. formance on the Paper 2 of the PSE not in an examination setting as there tests, that does not mean that they are The very first workshop that was done Mathematics and English. I would like were several persons sitting around the capable of imparting such knowledge was good because we were better in- to question the rationale of the MOE to same table. One will find that even to our students. formed of what the examiners are look- go public with those results. The teach- though some teachers are capable of Sitting the exams did nothing more for ing for on the PSE. For example, that ers, Managers and the MOE knew teaching letter writing and composition me than to make me be aware of how the children should introduce the set- them, so what is the purpose of telling to Standard Six students, they may not my students must feel when they go to ting and characters in the first paragraph the world? What was achieved by do- be able to themselves write an excel- sit it; why some of them probably do of their stories, which I do not fully sup- ing this? lent letter or story in thirty minutes. I poorly as opposed to the work they port. What they have failed to realize is that know that I used up some of the time in produce in the classroom. Some Many times, in many schools, the by releasing those results, they have reading the questions and deciding on people just cannot produce what they Middle Division of the school suffers helped in lowering the morale of teach- which topic I would write - topics which are supposed to under examination con- because principals would normally put ers country wide as well as have par- many of us found inappropriate for ditions. Even though the PSE has its the “stronger” teachers in the Infant and ents and students making accusations Standard Six students. Any good writer uses, I have never been one to advo- Upper Divisions. A Standard Six of ALL Standard Six teachers. While I would write and edit his or her writing. cate the use of standardized test and I teacher inherits all that the teachers be- must agree that some teachers are not There was no time for that. It makes don’t think I ever will. Anyone in edu- fore did or failed to do with the students qualified to teach Standard Six or any me wonder whether this was a deliber- cation would know that not all children coming into his / her class. They are class in the Primary School, I would also ate attempt to shame teachers. When are visual learner, and so the students expected to do some miracles with those like to comment on a few things con- the Ministry of Education decided to go who would comprehend better by hear- students who are not at the expected cerning the examinations taken by the public with these results, they should ing are at a disadvantage when they sit level in about seven months. This is near teachers and about teacher training. have also reported the conditions un- the PSE. It there an audio cassette with impossible when you have a class of The teachers who sat those PSE tests der which these tests were given. I must the examination for such students? thirty-five, sometimes more. were given limited time to complete also point out that some teachers that I must state at this point that I did at- It is my firm belief that we have them, without any prior knowledge that took the test also had it in their posses- tend the first follow up session and found (Please Turn To Page 8) AnAn EvilEvil EyEyee OpensOpens UpUp AgainAgain (Continued From Page 5) IPS tried to talk with Sossa; the phone clients could not resort to the authori- control and eradication of drugs, narco- “In a first delivery, according to DIA, calls were abruptly cut. Oranges spoke ties they were avoiding in the first place. trafficking and money laundering of the 35,000 machines were sent to Brazil .” through his Panamanian lawyer Luis A U.S. Senate report issued in 2001 Panamanian parliament had earlier re- A statement from the public ministry Vásquez to La Prensa, and reiterated said Harris had been behind a number of quested investigation of Sossa’s role by of Paran* in Brazil says “the his claims of innocence. Mottley says international banking, investment and se- a special prosecutor in the Malocchio accusation...has been revived in 2004 that in at least one other prominent in- curities frauds. Harris fled to Nicaragua , and Harris cases in 2000. in a new inquest on money laundering” stance Sossa had refused to investigate but was expelled in 2003 and brought to The prosecutor, Alma Montenegro de linked with gaming. In Panama , Mottley strong evidence of wrongdoing. justice in Miami . On May 21 last year he Fletcher, who also has left office re- found himself stripped of his position in Starting in 1996, Panama had re- was sentenced to 17 years in prison and cently, exonerated Sossa the same year. 2000, three years after the case landed ceived several requests from authorities ordered to pay a 26 million dollar fine But in her final statement she indicated on his desk. Sossa accused him of un- in the United States, Germany and Chile following conviction on 16 counts of that the attorney-general had neglected lawfully passing classified information to to investigate Marc M. Harris, a U.S. money laundering, tax evasion and con- his duty and showed “unacceptable” Italian authorities. Mottley was exon- financier based in Panama . Some of spiracy to defraud the U.S. government. conduct in a civil servant. erated later. the requests indicated that Harris ap- La Prensa also reported Sossa’s fail- About the Author: Miren Gutiérrez Oranges filed three lawsuits, one peared to be providing financial services ure to investigate Harris. The attorney- is IPS Editor in Chief. Formerly before the Panamanian Supreme Court to convicted narco-traffickers. La general brought criminal defamation Business Editor at La Prensa, she was against the Panamanian state, a second Prensa published documents proving charges against several of the daily’s part of the paper’s investigative unit. before the Human Rights Commission this, and also that fraudsters and money journalists. He was unsuccessful. Some This article, published in February of the Organisation of the American Sta- launderers were among Harris’s clients. of the charges were rejected by the of 2005, was written with the coop- tus (OAS), also against the Republic of Only, it was double deception: Harris judge and others just expired.. eration of Mónica Palm, editor at La Panama , and the third before the Of- refused to return their money, and the The commission for the prevention, Prensa in Panama . fice of the High Commissioner for Hu- man Rights of the United Nations against the Republic of Italy. Only the first con- tinues today. The suit was admitted in February 2004. Oranges is demanding 48 million dollars from the Panamanian state as compensation for losing his nomination as presidential candidate. Since Mottley left Interpol in 2000, Operation Malocchio was forgotten in Panama — until now. Sossa’s contro- versial mandate as attorney-general ended in January this year, and that has triggered a re-evaluation of his role. Mottley, now acting in a private capac- ity, sued him in January for corruption, calumny, providing false testimony, not Opening Hours complying with his duty as civil servant, Monday - Saturday 6 a.m. - 8:30 p.m. and for other crimes against the public Sunday & Holidays 7 a.m. - 7:30 pm. administration of justice. Breakfast Lunch and Diner Friday, March 16, 2007 The INdependent Reformer Page 8 MOEMOE goofedgoofed ...... (Continued From Page 7) Belize Teachers’ Training College, I do stopped producing quality teachers not hesitate to disagree with them. I when the Belize Teachers’ College be- think that it was at the point when the came a part of the University of Belize. 2 + 1 training was scrapped that we ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) LEO (July 23-Aug 22) Under the Belize Teachers’ College, the started to lose our footing on educa- Take matters in hand when it comes Elders may get you going this week. A “climate” was different and all efforts tion in this country. There were people to dealing with clients or colleagues. This second chance will result in good work. were concentrated on only teacher who went into the 2 + 1 training, and is a great day to get out and enjoy an Exercise your talents and present your training and acquiring pedagogical skills. because it gave them a true value of entertaining evening with friends or lov- ideas to groups you think you can con- Teachers were together at the same what a teacher should be, that they re- ers. You may find yourself in the midst tribute to. Pleasure trips will be a form of campus for the whole day. This led to moved themselves from the teaching of a pretty good deal. You will reach healing for your emotional state of mind. a lot of exchanging of ideas, concerns profession. The institution, at the time, the most people if you speak out at an Your lucky day this week will be Friday. and possible solutions and you inter- served to keep those persons who organizational function. Your lucky day VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) acted with each other. Lecturers were would make good and dedicated teach- this week will be Tuesday. You should spend your day trying to concerned only with teacher training and ers while making those who thought that TAURUS (Apr. 21- may 21) get things completed at work. It’s a fa- did not have to be teaching other course teaching was an easy job, change their You may want to sign up for courses vorable time for real estate, investments, in other fields of study. This climate minds. We must also bear in mind that that will encourage you to have more and moneymaking opportunities to be cannot exist in other institution when not everything that works in industrial- confidence in yourself. Misunderstand- successful. Chances to express your ideas there are other courses that also needs ized countries will work for us. So let ings could cause confusion and upset. and beliefs can bring popularity as long attention. stop copying everything that we read You’re intuitive this week; however, this as you’re not arrogant. Don’t neglect I hope that one of these days we will or hear about. Please, it is time to bring attribute could get you in trouble if you these problems; deal with them once and wake up and do the right thing - stop back good, sound teacher training in tactlessly say what you think. Be pre- for all, then move on to more pleasurable focusing on the PSE results and start an institution which caters ONLY to pared to make changes to your personal tasks. Your lucky day this week will be focusing on a TEACHERS’ TRAIN- teacher training. documents. Your lucky day this week Monday. ING COLLEGE. Even though some About the author: Thomas Oliver will be Sunday. LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) people might think we are stepping is a Standard Six Teacher at the GEMINI (May 22-June 21) If you’re already in a relationship, use backwards if we were to re-open the Burrell Boom Methodist School. Art investment will pay big dividends this added energy passionately. Secret in the long term. Family outings will affairs will only lead to deception. Money apparent. Visit friends or relatives you tial mates; however, don’t over spend. make you feel secure and happy. Your may slip through your fingers. You will have rarely see. You are best to ask questions Business partnerships should turn out to determination and sheer desire to do a great day if you just say what you feel. if you aren’t certain about issues that are be quite lucrative. Travel for business will your own thing will be successful. You Your lucky day this week will be Mon- confronting you. Loved ones may be an- be advantageous. Your lucky day this should follow through on educational day. noyed if they feel restricted. Your lucky week will be Saturday. endeavors you have wanted to pursue SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) day this week will be Wednesday. PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) for some time. Your lucky day this week Problems with colleagues are likely. Ask CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) You’d be wise to control your spend- will be Wednesday. family members for help and you will be Sign up for courses or join fitness clubs. ing so your debts don’t get out of hand. CANCER (June 22-July 22) You can able to complete the projects more Try to put your money away for a rainy Brunch, a long walk, or a quiet dinner will expect changes in your financial situa- quickly. They will not have the patience day. Get thinking about prolonging lon- secure your position in the relationship. Try tion as well as in your status. Lack of to wait for you to complete things that gevity. Driving too fast or double parking to deal with the problems of those less funds may add stress to your already they’ve asked you to do. Your profes- will result in difficulties with officials. Your fortunate; however, don’t allow them to uncertain situation. Be careful not to let sional attitude will not go unnoticed. lucky day this week will be Saturday. make unreasonable demands. Don’t get friends or peers make you look bad. Your lucky day this week will be Thurs- AQUARIUS (Jan. 21 -Feb. 19) depressed, get busy. You can accomplish You should visit a friend or relative who day. Get busy trying to make more money. a lot if you’re willing to put in a little extra hasn’t been well. Your lucky day this SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) You should get out and enjoy social events time. Your lucky day this week will be week will be Tuesday. Unforeseen changes in your location are where you are likely to meet new poten- Saturday.

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"* -ONDAY 3ATURDAY *ÀˆViÃÊf{ÊEÊ1* * œÌœÊEÊ iÈ}˜¥9ELLOWTAIL#REATIVE Friday, March 16, 2007 The INdependent Reformer Page 9 SomeSome ThoughtsThoughts onon BBTTBB AdverAdvertisingtising PolicyPolicy By: Ray Auxilou struggling against the giant hotel corpo- speak of either. That is a basic lesson; what is real from older days in an old Someone on the online debating list rations, you spend money keeping the people come to islands for the beaches. fashioned sense, and advertising for serve mentioned that most of the Belize San Pedro and Caye Caulker front They may not use the beach, but if you young people in the small operator Tourist Board advertising budget is beaches filled with sand and attractive. don’t have one, your tourist business will and low budget hostel environment spent on a few expensive high end ho- You place small strategic one and two die. The asset is photogenic, sort of the that they can afford, is where you need tels. Such an idea startled me, with the inch cheaper classified ads in all the romantic idea of the Caribbean, sand to BEST spend your advertising dol- reversal of empirical evidence of tour- sports magazines, from the North and coconut trees. Old rich folks may lar as a nation. You must sell the ex- ism development over the past forty five American Backpacking magazine, to do no more than look out the window otic and the physical and nature. The years in Belize. Mountain Bike magazine, to Hiking Trails at young people playing volleyball on rich will follow the young adventurers I can see where it might come about, magazines, to Windsurfing magazines, the beach, but if you don’t have those and dream of what was once, that from young civil service people who to Gold Prospector magazine, Fishing young physically fit people, you won’t they have left behind in their advanc- have not watched the business grow and magazines, to Archeology magazines, in get the old rich tourist either. Tourism ing years. experienced the joys and difficulties of Sailing and Cruising magazines, in is a psychological game and how you There are now six low budget hos- applying their own risk capital in tour- Scuba magazines, in car racing maga- advertise is key. You are selling im- tels in Belize. One on San Pedro, ism development over decades. Such zines, in private small plane ultra light age. Your typical tourist lives in a three on Caye Caulker, two in West- an idea that investing in advertising to and glider magazines like Soaring and crowded city, full of concrete tall can- ern Cayo District. Look after your support the few top hotel earners in the you find these equivalents in the Euro- yons and lives in a cave called an small guys BTB, the big hotel invest- tourist industry is obviously a choice that pean and Asian markets with their local apartment, or a room. They yearn ments and customers with the money a bureaucrat concentrating on highest languages and just fill the classified ad spiritually for the outdoors, to com- will follow. Advertise to attract the tax revenues earned for the government sections of all sorts of magazines giving mune with nature and meet physical yuppies in their twenties and the old might make. entrepreneur, or activity niche some- challenges of the outdoors. This is and rich will follow and want those As a strategy to boost tourism num- place in Belize as destinations and places what you sell in Belize. The idea of big hotels. bers, however, the idea of concentrat- to go, to experience these exotic excit- ing the majority of advertising budget ing things. Two hundred dollars per For an online version of the on high end hotels would be totally magazine issue, perhaps three hundred wrong, empirical evidence and experi- magazines, how hard can that be? ence shows over four decades in Belize. Remember, while your big hotel cus- INdependent Reformer Do we go by academic theory, or by tomer is old and rich, in their minds they the evidence? Here is the difference be- are still young and wish to relive their visit us at tween practical hands on knowledge youth. They may not get past the swim- and that by theoretical academics. ming pool with rum and coke drink in What attracts tourists to Belize fluc- hand, but they will come not for a big http:// tuates and is always driven by market hotel, but for the idea, that if they wanted demand. Tourism and even high end they could do those physical things. It tourism hotels succeed, only if adver- is the young and their adventures, that www.belizenorth.com/ tising is spent by government depart- attract the rich older expensive tourist, ments with this responsibility on your who wants luxury and comforts. small tourist operator offerings. These Without good beaches on the islands independentreformer.htm are the things that attract tourists. You you won’t have a tourist business to advertise your small tourist mom and pop operations with articles in the in- ternational media, that include the hu- man interest element and the eventual Boat for SALE for US $10,000 effect is to fill those big hotels, as -21' open fisherman spillover. Without the small tourist op- - double hull erations, you have no industry, or will -flooring recently refurbished lose what you have. -live bait well (a must for any real In my lifetime of experience, you look fisherman) after the small individual, doing things -14 rod holders like manatee tours, macaw colorful par- -6 holders for trolling rot watching, the kite windsurfers, the -dependable 200hp Yamaha with 120 Ragamuffin Sailing Tours, etc. You con- hours centrate your advertising on the exotic, -new stainless steel prop with spare the small person, the David versus aluminum prop Goliath competition. That is what brings increases in your tourism overnight visi- -new center console tor statistics. You advertise the small -Bimini top entrepreneur with a hostel, a guest -all stainless steel fittings house and that sort of thing. For com- -Captain chair doubles as fighting parison: if you concentrate on saving chair pennies and nickels in your personal life, - all running lights & bildge pump you will eventually be rich. If you con- operational w/new switches centrate on your small tourism places, -new bottom paint/anti-fouling paint you will expand the industry to bring new -60 gallon tank investment into the country for new big- -new seat belts ger hotels. -she flies - no brakes available. If the debate on the list serve is true, then BTB have their investment policy Contact owner: reversed. There are some basics to ad- vertising Belize. You advertise adven- tel. 225-3520 ture, the small family owned operator Friday, March 16, 2007 The INdependent Reformer Page 10 BelizeBelize retirementretirement:: TheThe Dream,Dream, andand aa fewfew NightmaresNightmares

they died from massive seizures. hands. Shortly after, other villagers A report from the frontlines It was just horrible! We all cried like who were working in the area came, By:Delfina Mitchell tell Mitch we needed to put him out babies. they had branches they had cut from Greetings to all from Belize! of its misery, to use a cement block A week later we walked outside our trees in their hands. I wonder what Four months ago, my husband or machete but he says that’s mean door to find four of the most beautiful the hell they brought those for but Mitch, my mom, our three dogs, and he wasn’t going to do it. In the puppies. Friends are wonderful. Our soon got my answer. The spread Chief, Gunny, and DOG, our cat end we both went back to bed leav- friend Harry, hearing of our loss shared out and used the branches to beat George, and I, left Florida to start our ing the poor duck fighting for air. The his new litter with us. We are now the fire out and the machete to cut new adventure. It rained every day for next day we had to pay twenty dol- enjoying Harry, Asia, Jane, and Trib- more. It worked, they got the fire the first three months. I swear, every lars to David for his duck. ute, our newest family members! under control and eventually put it single day! It was hot and muggy, and Midnight visitor The fire out. many days and nights it was continu- My sister, Icelind, who wants des- In Belize, they sometimes clear out Truckload of trouble ous rain. perately to live in Belize, (she hasn’t the land by lighting fires to burn the I could tell you about the excite- We live about 12 miles outside been able to convince her husband on bushes. On Valentine’s Day, Mitch ment of the 4 feet boa constrictor Belize City in a village call Ladyville. the move yet) jumps on the plane ev- and I were relaxing enjoying this re- snake that crawled up the under- The area we live is just being devel- ery time I call and ask her to. One tirement life when we discovered a side of my father’s pick up truck oped, hence there are acres and acres night, she was up late sitting at the bush fire on the other side of the road last Friday and how I had to drive of land with a neighbor here and there. kitchen table when her attention was had gotten out of control. It was the truck to the car repair shop, so Mitch, my Mom and I all refer to it as drawn to Georgie’s hissing. A snake threatening the home of an elderly lady they could lift it up and get the snake “back-a-bush”. had crawled in from under the door. who was not home at the time. out. But I’ll let you use your imagi- Every day is a new adventure for Mitch came out to investigate the The fire was beautiful and scary, it nation…. us as well as the animals. commotion in the kitchen and found was hot and you could hear it crack- I’m adjusting to this retirement Horsing around her standing on top of the kitchen ing as it ran up the trees and in the thing. I haven’t looked for any jobs Since our property is not yet fenced, table. bushes. The only person home was yet and am not sure if I will at this horses come walking through, eating We suspected it was a poisonous the maid and she was just looking so point. Sometimes I think, I have to the grass our sticking their heads into coral snake, and confirmed it the scared running around outside. Mitch have a purpose, I have to be in veranda to see what is going on. The morning by checking the internet. We went to fetch David while the maid charge of something I can’t just be dogs would go wild barking every now have weather strips on the door and I started filling buckets with wa- a housewife! time they saw the horses, day or night. and if you ever happen to enter ter to put the fire out. But for now, I’m still getting - they had never seen horses before. Icelind’s room, you’ll find a lot of gar- By the time we ran back to the settled in our new home and I love This went on for about six weeks, lic scattered over the floor. Some- house to fill the buckets and come sleeping in. I can’t say that I miss then one day we heard the horses one told her garlic drives snakes away! back to the fire it had spread fur- the Navy. I do miss my boys, fam- chomping through but the dogs never On Feb 2, Chief, Gunny, and ther. Several times I had to stop to ily and friends but I have great budged from their resting spot. The DOG died. splash water onto my face in order memories and even though you may horses were old news. In Belize there are some strange to get some relief from the heat. not hear from me often, know I do Friendly neighbors delicacies. One such is a wild turkey Thankfully Mitch and David came think of you way back here in the David, our neighbor, is a blessing. called Curassow. A friend of my up. They both had machete in their bush! He returned to Belize to chill out about mother’s brought her a piece of the seven years ago after he retired from “turkey.” Since I was not excited the US army. He understands the kind about the prospect of eating the meat, of limbo we are in and is a wealth of I decided to cook it for the dogs. I information and advice on living in boiled it in a stew for them and fed it Visit Belize. He raises ducks, chicken and to them over the dry dog food. turkeys in his back yard. Unfortunately, we found out too late A small lake runs between our that Curassow is not something you The Belize Zoo property, and David’s ducks would feed to the dogs. The birds eat poi- float by or his chicken and turkeys sonous plants and the toxins are would wander over and Chief and stored in the bones. When the dogs Gunny would chase them. One morn- chew the bones it releases the toxins. ing about 3 am, I woke to hear this Thirty-four years had passed since strange noise, and found Chief had we left Belize and my mother had for- The Best Little Zoo brought back one of David’s ducks. gotten about this - supposedly com- It was fluttering around, sounding like mon knowledge. The poison affects its neck was crushed. the brain, the process was horrible, it So we’re out in the rain with a half affects the brain causes them to have In The World dead duck making a lot of noise and painful, frightful hallucinations. The vet wondering how David was going to could do nothing for them. Symptoms react to our dog getting his duck. I started on Monday and by Friday Friday, March 16, 2007 The INdependent Reformer Page 11 BelizeBelize mournsmourns GeorgeGeorge GabbGabb Arts, George Gabb made his indel- ible mark on Belizean culture as a playwright, poet, painter and most notably, as Belize’s pre-eminent sculptor. It will be recalled that his award- winning play “Yellowtail” was voted Best All-around Production in the Festival of Arts of May, 1966. He will be remembered as the author of many Belize’s gifted giant Geroge Gabb literary works including “Naked Eye: Belizean Proverbs and Philosophy”. The National Institute of Culture His works as a sculptor form part of and History joins the entire nation of Belize’s National Collection, as well Belize in expressing our sincere con- as private collections at home and dolences to the Gabb family on the abroad; including those of the Queen passing of Belizean patriot and cul- of England and the Archbishop of tural icon, George Seymour Gabb, Canterbury. One of his most recog- M.B.E. nizable pieces, “the Sleeping Giant” Even as we mourn the loss of (part of Belize’s National Collection) George Gabb’s sculture of a tiger - man. George Gabb “the Gifted Giant”, we has been used as a watermark on the take this opportunity to celebrate his Belize passport and is still being on Michigan, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arts Council’s Outstanding Artist life, accomplishments and invaluable Belizean paper currency. Texas and South Carolina. Award in August, 1998. On Septem- contribution to his homeland and his George Gabb taught sculpture to a For his numerous contributions, ber 19, 2002, he received the Meri- people. number of young Belizeans and for George Seymour Gabb was made a torious Service Award from the Gov- Having dedicated over four de- some time, spent months teaching as Member of the British Empire in 1974. ernment of Belize.--Press Release cades of his life to Culture and the an artist-in-residence at universities in He was later a recipient of the Belize from NICH Teeny ly Toon Friday, March 16, 2007 The INdependent Reformer Page 12 TOPICALTOPICAL TIDBITSTIDBITS

Goodbye George Gabb

He was a great strength; a fortress of talent as a philosopher, artist painter, sculptor, poet, wood carver. He was also always an open and friendly source of common sense and good advice. He The Rio Lempa in El Salvador will be sorely missed. In recent years, some ties between the structure projects including: the con- two countries - like medical services - struction of national stadiums in have increased. About 340 Cuban doc- Dominica, St Lucia , and Grenada ; the tors have served in this Central Ameri- construction of a psychiatric hospital in can country, and around 500 Hondu- St Lucia; redevelopment of the Botani- downs with world leaders, including Fi- rans study medicine in Cuba . cal Gardens in Dominica and the con- del Castro and President Bush. Salvador, Honduras and Guate- struction of a new block in a school Fox has signed a book deal to pub- mala unite! nearby. China has also promised sup- lish his memoir Revolution of Hope in El Salvador, Honduras and Guate- port for the development of a major October, according to a statement by mala signed an agreement Wednesday highway in St Lucia , and is active in Viking, a sister imprint of Penguin Press. to create the tri-national border com- Jamaica , Guyana and Suriname. The book will be co-written by Fox munity of Rio Lempa, near the largest Regional governments are ecstatic and his friend, public-relations consult- reserve of water in Central America . about the generosity of the Peoples ant Rob Allyn, who spent much of De- Mayors of the three Central Ameri- Republic of China, and many have cember and January working on the can countries in nearby municipalities switched long held allegiances with Tai- book with Fox at his ranch in central said actions performed together will fos- wan. Now only three countries in the Mexico . ter efficiency of the development pro- English speaking Caribbean - Belize , Guatemala City dodgy? grams scheduled for border zones. St Kitts and Nevis , and St Vincent and

Nicaraguan president, Daniel Ortega has repeated his offer to provide tem- porary headquarters for the Central American Parliament (PARLACEN) due to the lack of security in Guatemala. The situation in Nicaragua offers peace for the sessions without fears and anxi- eties that today exist in Guatemala, as- Honduras renews relations with sured the Sandinista leader to board Cuba members of the regional parliament. Honduras named its first ambassa- Ortega received the PARLACEN dor to Cuba in 45 years last week, com- members in the offices of the Sandinista pleting the restoration of diplomatic ties National Liberation Front (FSLN) that, with the communist-run island that were together with the Olof Palme Conven- severed during the Cold War. tion Center has been his office since he Ramón Elvir will be sent to Havana became the President of Nicaragua last as Honduras ‘ ambassador. January 10. Honduras broke off diplomatic relations with Havana in 1962, when Cuba was A rainbow over Roseau, the princiapl city in Dominica Fox tells all! expelled from the Organization of Ameri- Chinese in Caribbean but not in the Grenadines , plus Haiti and the Do- MEXICO CITY — Former Mexi- can States. It renewed formal relations with Belize! minican Republic - still maintain rela- can President Vicente Fox is telling all the island in January 2001, but did not Chinese development assistance is tions with Taiwan in a memoir that will detail his ups and name an ambassador until now. being delivered in several visible infra- 1/2 acre lots in 10 acre plots in Single-12 acre plot in Burrel Boom Burrel Boom Ladyville starting at $10K starting at $50K $120,000K Call Call Call 600-1627 600-1627 600-1627 for details for details for details Friday, March 16, 2007 The INdependent Reformer Page 1313 Green Party Asks: Strength In Unity? Are Two Heads Better Then One? public meetings and debates. In a civi- and mothers, and in the true spirit of de- the clear understanding by all that if lized society these should be focused mocracy do their best to make the the road chosen turned out not to pro- on the issues and be conducted in a re- majority’s road work. vide what was expected, a sincere spectful atmosphere of good will. Now, That is the theory, but is that what re- effort would be made to try the other what often happens, as we have seen in ally happens in practice? In my obser- road. This is one of the concepts put the past elections is one candidate will vation, those who lose often stand back forward that we think is very impor- say our party believes if we go down and watch the other head off on their tant. the road that heads north we will be own. Sometimes they even do things Do you believe our desperate con- prosperous, but if we go down the road that will make it harder for those who ditions call for radical changes? Then to the south as my opponent from the go on the other road to succeed. Read- try this on for size. Do you believe that other party says ,we will go broke and ing about ancient African and Indian two heads are better than one, even By: Chet Schmidt come to ruin. They both push for the cultures, I learned villagers kept on de- if one is female and one is male? An- PG correspondent for benefits of their way and keep warning bating and struggling with the issues un- other idea that is sure to receive some INdependent Weekly the people of how bad it will be if the til they came to a consensus where ev- ridicule is that we have true gender other party’s road is taken. Unfortunately erybody agreed as to the best way to equality, by having a male and female The Toledo branch of the Belizean each candidate often attacks the char- go. This also happens in some of the for each political office. Their first job Green Party has some ideas that we acter of their opponent, sometimes most successful democracies in the most would be to agree on what course don’t see in the information from the called character assassination or nega- advanced nations of today like Denmark they would take together, if they were other parties. One of the most signifi- tive campaigning. and Holland who also keep on work- divided on the issue, they would take cant and important concepts was the Now in theory when one side gets ing until they have at least a near con- it to the House of Representatives and requirement that at least 80% of the elected, maybe by a few votes, perhaps sensus. Considering what recently hap- the Senate, for them to vote on it. members must vote for a motion to 53% to 47%, those candidates and pened to Mexico where they just had a Again a majority should be convinced. pass. What is the concept of democ- members of the electorate who lost are very close election and are still having Could these circumstances be diffi- racy? That each citizen has one equal supposed to join with those in the ma- serious problems that continues to di- cult? You bet. But that’s what our vote. The different parties put up their jority, and do their best to go down the vide and weaken them, you have to think what our leaders are paid for-- to platforms and manifestoes as to what road that they have been telling every- consensus is the key to success. work hard. they think should be done and how. one they would never go down is defi- The members of the Toledo branch Please e-mail comments to The responsible citizen, the elector- nitely no question about it, the road to agree that it would be far better to [email protected], ate, should study the different parties’ ruin. Their leaders are to forget all the take the time to agree and debate the see our website at http:// recommendations. To help with this the mean and ugly things their opponents issues until a consensus or near con- belizeangreenpartytoledo.wetpaint.com different party’s candidates should hold said about them and perhaps their wives sensus, at least 80% is achieved, with to learn more about our platform. Cayo independent candidate donates He says he is also working “to Voice over Internet Protocol is ensure the monopoly which prevents dismantled, when I am successful in this country from having access to the next general election.”

Ivan Roberts presents certificate for 7 computers to the priincipal of St Jude R.C. school in Camalote. On March 6, Ivan Roberts, who communities. It is our intention to describes himself as an “Ambassador make sure that every school in the of the Universal Peace Federation” country of Belize has this technology donated 7 computers to St Jude R.C. available to all their students.” school in Camalote. He says he plans to ensure that He says “These are the first of 35 not only Cayo Central schools, which computers which I intend to donate are in his constituency, but all towns to that school. I also have request and villages in the Cayo district gets a from schools in Cotton Tree Village, fully equipped lab with a minimum of Santa Famelia, Teakettle and other 35 computers per lab. Friday, March 16, 2007 The INdependent Reformer Page 14 TOOTOO WILDWILD FORFOR WORDS!WORDS! Everyone at The Belize Zoo (in- The Belize Zoo is happy to provide cluding the animals) enjoys having a fun and interesting Sunday for this Carlos around each Sunday. His very cool guy! bright and eager attitude is conta- It is simply TOO WILD FOR gious! Carlos is learning a lot, and WORDS!

Carlos cuddles the zoo’s boa constrictor, Bal Boa, as he describes the snake’s natural history. By Sharon Matola Feeding monkeys, deer and birds, Carlos learns from the Belize THE BELIZE ZOO ANIMALS Zookeepers proper animal management GET LOVE AND ATTENTION techniques, and the many factors in- FROM JUNIOR ZOOKEEPER volved in being a good zookeeper. CARLOS DOMINGUEZ! Carlos has learned to handle the zoo’s Carlos is not even 12, but even at this boa constrictor, Bal Boa, and tells visi- early age, has a great desire to fit in tors about this gentle snake’s interesting zookeeper duties as part of his life! natural history. School during the week in Belmopan Carlos admits, “I don’t have a favourite takes a lot out of this guy, but his home- task at the zoo. I like everything I do work reports are excellent, and that is there, from cleaning cages, to fixing din- the requirement for Carlos to be able ners for the animals and of course, get- to extend a helping hand at The Belize ting to know them!” Zoo every Sunday. TTopop ofof thethe classclass (Continued From Page 4) I will stand with our teachers on this tice, manage her time on the exam, fo- one, even if it affects my own child. I cus, focus, focus…. They have been will side with them because I respect admonishing her, guiding her, cheering them and their efforts. Because I re- her on. member those teachers at Teacher’s What do we tell her now? College who left newborn babies in If this is an example of how the cur- PG with relatives, or commuted sev- rent Ministry treats its educators and eral hours every day by bus from students, no wonder our children are Corozal, Orange Walk, Cayo and failing. No wonder our teachers are de- Dangriga because they were told they moralized, underpaid and over worked needed to be certified. I will side with while the administrators are out of touch, them because these women, and a overpaid and under worked. handful of men, who turn up for class Whatever the reason behind the an- each day, often take money out of their nouncement, it backfired, big time. The own pockets to feed our children, buy Minister himself is now in the dunce chair supplies, counsel them when they are with some even suggesting he, perhaps in trouble or have difficulties at home, the entire cabinet, should take the test take assignments in communities so and have the results made public. many of us would give up on before The ministry is now faced with the we even got there. They keep work- very real possibility that the professional ing, teaching our nation’s children, year men and women it counts on to invigilate in and year out, because it is what they and grade this exam, will boycott this have been called to do.With little year and are questioning its very rel- thanks from the parents, and even less evance. from their Ministry or the churches. In terms of public relations, right now For me, and many Belizeans, the the ministry has an “F” for foresight and teacher’s willingness to stand up and sensitivity. say “No More,” is the true test of their The Minister says he is disappointed intelligence. The yardstick by which in the teachers. we should all be measured. Clearly they are disappointed in him. In standard VI and beyond. Friday, March 16, 2007 The INdependent Reformer Page 15 10th10th LaLa RutaRuta MayaMaya RiverRiver ChallengeChallenge -- newnew recordrecord

The Cruz sisters of Esperanza Village won the female category for the 2nd year running.

Armin Lopez, Amado & Rudy Cruz of the Belize Bank team paddled to a record breaking finish to win La Ruta Maya River Challenge for the 3rd consecutive year. BelizeBelize honorshonors BaronBaron BlissBliss

The Builders Hardware team won the Mixed Team category.

IndependentsIndependents contestcontest Governor General Sir Colville Young lays a wreath on the grave, at Monday’s ceremonies IndependentsIndependents contestcontest honouring of Belize’s greatest benefactor Baron Edward Victor Ernest Bliss. LadyLadyvilleville VillageVillage CouncilCouncil (Continued From Page 1) ten very dependent on the politics of LettersLetters toto thethe EditorEditor Reginald Williams. money. Turton says some Ladyvillians Odessa Gibson is a former Chairlady have told them outright, “If you don’t (Continued From Page 2) distrust all white people, for many of our of Rockstone Pond and Carolee have money, don’t even come to my a blanket unqualified condemnation white brothers, as evidenced by their Hecker has worked campaigns before house.” She says they are not going to sometimes seen in some of the edito- presence here today, have come to re- for other candidates but this is the first pay anyone to vote and want to help rial-like articles. alize that their destiny is tied up with our time she has run herself. instill pride in the community. “Just be- I wish to close now with part of a destiny and their freedom is inextrica- Hecker says not only is their team hav- cause you are poor, does not mean you speech from the greatest American ora- bly bound to our freedom. We cannot ing to introduce themselves during house have to live in a dirty area or not keep tor of modern times. walk alone.” to house visits, they are having to in- up your yard.” “We must forever conduct our struggle Martin Luther King Jr. form people there is an election on April This is the second time a goup of in- on the high plane of dignity and disci- August 28, 1963. 1st. “A lot of people are not even aware dependents is campaigning in Ladyville. pline. We must not allow our creative May God bless Belize and the United there is a Village Council Election.” In the elections of 2001 group called protest to degenerate into physical vio- States. This may be due to a lack of publicity the “Independent Seven,” lead by lence. Again and again we must rise to Respectfully yours, from the Ministry of Local Government Michael Hutchison, almost took the the majestic heights of meeting physical and also the Elections and Boundaries council, losing the Chairmanship to the force with soul force. The marvelous Rudolph A. Bowman Commission. PUP by only two votes. new military which has engulfed the Dangrigan Belizean The team says some people have got- negro community must not lead us to Coloradoan American Friday, March 16, 2007 The INdependent Reformer Page 16